Razorback volleyball hosts spring event Saturday

BY ANDRES FOCIL

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas volleyball team hosts a spring tournament Saturday, April 19, in Barnhill Arena. The four-match tournament is free and open to the public. The Razorbacks are in the midst of spring workouts and are permitted four dates for competition. After back-to-back road weekends, the Razorbacksface regional action with Tulsa and Missouri State Saturday. “We seemed more confident with our offense last weekend and that is something we are continuing to work on this weekend,” said Arkansas head coach Chris Poole. “We are still looking for our outsides to make a bigger impact and we’re looking for those players to become more consistent as the spring continues.” Play is scheduled to begin with Arkansas hosting Tulsa at 11:15 a.m. followed by Tulsa and Missouri State at 12:30 p.m. The afternoon continues with Arkansas versus Missouri State at 1:45 p.m. and finishes with Arkansas against Tulsa at 3:15 p.m. The spring schedule sees teams play the best of three and they are playing to newly approved score of 25 for the opening frames. The 25-point game for games one through four takes effect to start the 2008 collegiate season. Poole has seen much growth in the team through the first two events and expects even more this weekend. “I’ve been pleased with the continued improvement of Sarah (Freudenrich) and Destiny (Clark),” said Poole. “Destiny hasn’t played a match since the 2006 NCAA Tournament (Clark missed last season with an injury). She is still limited but has surpassed our expectations in the first two weekends. She is hitting about 27 percent with 1.7 blocks per game this spring. “Sarah has been working extremely hard in practice,” Poole continued. “Her return to the court this fall will surprise some people.” Arkansas has one date remaining the spring schedule. The Lady’Backs host Missouri Friday, April 25, in a single match in Barnhill.